Majestic Downfall trade in some epic doom that stretches and luxuriates in melancholic surges of blood and tears. Aorta (Personal Records) is their latest testament to the power of the morose, and it's a feat of stirring arrangements, mournful melodies, and a bass sound that burrows under your skin and lays its eggs deep in the flesh. It touches on the classic 90s era of the scene without mimicking it, and it's one of those albums you'll be feeling in your bones long after the last note is played.

Our Master of the Microphone Buke sat down with bassist/vocalist Jacobo Córdova and guitarist Alÿ to discuss the genesis of the band's latest record. Along the way all the usual detours are thoroughly explored, including the how's and why's of doom metal and the challenges of writing a long song and making it work (like the EXCELLENT 20-minute "Roberta" which kicks off the album), the differences between European and American audiences, and the growth found in writing and performing over the course of 15 years. This is one of those interviews that you just want to go on - a great conversation in service of an incredible record. Aorta lays its foundation in the earth of doom, but there are moments of blistering aggression balanced with delicate threads of hope.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

With Migration (Deathwish Inc.), Bossk are only on their second full length since forming in 2005, give or take little, but that hasn't stopped them from being one of the heaviest bands in post-metal this side of Amenra. There, we said it. And, it's true. Migration is chock full of mood, atmosphere, and plain old heaviness...the kind you could hammer hot steel with. It's also an overall better album than their debut, the band has really stepped it up in the songwriting department and the construct of each and every track and how it reacts with its surroundings. Bottom line; this is an album you need in your life. 

Our maestro of the mic, Buke, chats with Tom Begley about the new album, its bleak industrial cover art, and building momentum off the static one might encounter from an old vinyl or radio transmission. They also cover Tom's musical background and what made him pick up the bass, the band's "wall of sound" stance, life for musicians in the Covid era, British food and beer, social media and whether it really helps anything, Star Wars and The Mandalorian, and several other topics. Tom opens up here and the back forth between him and Buke makes this an excellent chat so dive in and enjoy.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

You know how this works...team members take turn picking their favorite each month and As the Morning Dawns We Close Our Eyes (Prosthetic Records) was Vincent's pick. He had two reasons for doing so; one because it's up his alley and the other...you'll have to listen in to find out. The gang covers a slew of different angles and takes on the album, compares it to previous releases and attempts to get Buke up to speed on it as well as this genre crossroad.  They also cover the slow maturation that An Autumn For Crippled Children has experienced since forming in 2009. Following that is a "what else tripped our triggers" in May section that prominently features the latest from Panopticon and several others worth taking note of. 

All this and so much more as we dive head first into our fifth AOTM for 2021!  So jump in and get an earful!

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

Over the course of, now, five albums with Family the Smiling Thrush (Ripple Music) Boss Keloid have gone from stoner metal to a progressive metal giant. They defy easy categorization and genre tags by keeping fans, and new listeners, on their toes with an amalgamation of styles and varying degrees of heaviness. To put it plain, no one else is doing what this band is doing, nor has the balls to put themselves out there like they do. And it works, tremendously so. 

Our maestro of the mic, Buke, chats with Ste Arands about the new album and the pitfalls of jamming together in the midst of the pandemic, how the band has evolved over the years personally and in sound and scope, a more collaborative writing approach then in the past, and an enormous discussion on Ste's vast and eclectic ear for music and how his upbringing with music as a constant shaped him as a musician. They also cover upcoming tour plans, Toto, the negative effects of the social media age, a surprise family likeness, and Ste's background in drumming and how he got his start behind the kit. This is an absolute blast of a conversation so dive in and enjoy!

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

Synthwave is one of those genres that has become a go to for metalheads due to its horror movie kinship, its wildly creative sound and its imagery which at times can mirror some of extreme metal's most enduring gorehounds. Perturbator and James Kent have been at the tip of this spear since Terror 404 back in 2012 and has shown more and more growth and depth on each successive album. Now, with Lustful Sacraments (Blood Music), the band dive further into the industrial side of the synth coin but do so in a way that doesn't leave anything behind. Think of it as an experiment gone incredibly right.

Our maestro of the mic, Buke, chats with James about the new album and how it was conceived, his extensive background-and knowledge of-black metal, his deep rooted love for horror and how it has shaped his musical output, and how much time actually goes into making this type of music and being happy with final results. They also spend some time on synth and electronic shop talk, what James listens to and how it keeps him vibrant, a video game appearance and Alcest tie in, James' favorite Darkthrone album, and many other topics. This is an excellent conversation so dive in and enjoy!

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

Technically Inclined is back! And Hera -- having NOW (but not at the time of recording) newly completed grad school -- has rejoined the fold once again! And this time out, we're talking about Greek progressive death crew Cerebrum and their third album, Iridium.

But we're also talking about other stuff! Like Gojira. And how Hera is synesthetic, which mesmerized the hell out of Buke. And also, bands in Greece. And also also, the line between prog death and tech death, and what each entails. It was a fun time! There's much laughter on this here recording.

Plus, Iridium! It dropped in 2018 on Transcending Obscurity. It's also quite good and you should definitely listen to it.

For more details, jump on in and give the fifth iteration of Technically Inclined a full listen!

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CEREBRUM LINKS: Listen to Iridium | Website | Metal-Archives

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

Anyone familiar with Epitaph era Necrophagist or Obscura or Alkaloid, to name a few, will undoubtedly be familiar with Hannes Grossmann as he was an integral driving force behind all of it. Beyond drumming, he's also a sound engineer and producer with a long list of credits under his belt. As if all that wasn't enough, we're on the eve of his fourth solo album, To Where the Light Retreats, which promises to be as technical and heavy as anything he's ever been a part of. 

Our maestro of the mic, Buke, chats with Hannes about the new album and what to expect, the different mindsets of drumming for his solo work and for other bands as well as the various mindsets that prepare him for producing music, his early days in drumming and how his fascinations and heroes paved the way, and a very long standing relationship with TAMA drums. They also cover how different drummers leave their own unique fingerprints on the music they make, plenty of shop talk, and a huge back and forth on Hi-Fi and headphones. This is a great discussion with plenty of nuggets all along Hannes' career, jump in and enjoy!

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

Metal Blade Records has been a household name for metal, and heavier music in general, lovers for longer than some of you listening to this podcast have been alive. Founder, owner, and CEO Brian Slagel had a vision back in 1982 with the first of the Metal Massacre compilation series, to highlight, then, unknown heavy artists. This led to the beginnings of Metal Blade Records and a long standing relationship with fans all across the globe. This week marks the XV edition of the Metal Massacre series as the label nears 40 years in existence, and remains a dominant force in metal and beyond.

Our maestro of the mic, Buke, chats with Brian on the label and its history, Brian's first book and making of a second, Blacklight Media, the label's exceptional PR team and plenty of back office label stuff. They also get into a somewhat recent partnership with Violent Gentlemen which led into a major discussion on hockey as well as Brian's Stanley Cup pick. This is an excellent discussion, so jump in and enjoy.

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

You know how this works...team members take turns picking their favorite album of the month and In Transmission (Metal Blade Records and Blacklight Media) was Ian's pick. This album was pretty much an instant hit, all the way around the back office, as soon as Ian announced it and it has only grown closer and closer to the heart as time has passed. It's an incredibly vicious album but with a deeply emotional soul to it through hardcore, sludge, a touch of punk, and an amazing vocalist that casts a huge presence. There's plenty of back and forth on just how good this album is, the dual label release, Capra's energy and insane talent throughout, and whether anyone can actually pick just one favorite track. Following that is a roundhouse of "what else tripped our triggers in April" and a wide array of personal achievements since our last album pick.

All this and so much more as we dive head first into our fourth AOTM for 2021!  So jump in and get an earful!

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram

Another round of Technically Inclined! This time out, Dan and Buke dig into The Faceless, and their second album, Planetary Duality.

Planetary Duality came out in 2008 on Sumerian Records, and has since become a well-loved gem within the tech death landscape. It's too bad Dan thought The Faceless played deathcore and never listened to it until just this week!

So, how'd the album land with Nine Circles' resident tech-noob? You'll have to listen to find out! And stick around for brief tangents into Mortal Kombat, Maryland Deathfest, and more!

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THE FACELESS LINKS: Listen to Planetary Duality | Facebook | Metal-Archives

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

9C LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram